Beloved Monk – Wellington’s Cambodian Community | A Gallery from Here Now | RNZ National

From Voices 3 February 2014

Lynda Chanwai-Earle meets Senior Venerable Pramaha Suthep Sudevo, the beloved 78-year-old monk who escaped Pol Pot’s regime to arrive in New Zealand in 1985 and has spent the last three decades building a sanctuary for his people.

Senior Venerable Pramaha Suthep Sudevo

Translator Nibarom Young in the library island bay temple

15 Day Festival at the Wat Buddha Chaya Mahabath Monastery Island Bay

A small image of Buddha receives prayers

Senior Venerable leading the prayers during the festival

Reflecting on Buddha's teachings

Senior Venerable burns the prayers and scriptures as offerings to the departed

Five Monks serving the Cambodian Community Final day at Rongatai College Hall

A communal lunch after offerings to monks and ancestors

Shaving her head as a sign of devotion - a volunteer helps serve

Monks engage with their community

Civil Engineer Heng Lynda and Heng's wife Leaphy at the Cambodian Festival Rongatai College

The images in this gallery are used with permission and are subject to copyright conditions.